Cyclists in Suits - Texas' Bike Lobby Day

Cyclists-in-Suits, March 27, in Austin

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We'll meet at the Capitol Auditorium (E1.004, which is across from the Capitol Grill at 9am sharp for a welcome and brief training session.check in at least 15 minutes prior. No food or drinks are allowed in the auditorium. The Capitol Grill near the auditorium has breakfast foods, and coffee at a very reasonable price. It is open early.)

After orientation, volunteers from across the state (including bus loads of individuals from bike groups in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth) will visit legislative offices to show support for our bills.

At the end of the day, we’ll meet at The Bonneville Restaurant overlooking Lady Bird Lake for a social hour and refreshments.

When we reach out to our friends in email blasts this spring, contact your legislators to show support for our bills. Sign upfor our Enewsletter, and Action Alerts which are time sensitive during the session.

Summary of bills BikeTexas is supporting this session:Please note, legislative sessions are fluid and bills can change at any time. Consult this bill tracker for up-to-the-minute information.

Iris Stagner Safe Passing Act for 2017-House Bill (HB) 1236

Named for a popular bicycle safety advocate and BikeTexas board member, who died on the road in 2012.This Safe Passing Bill will establish for unprotected road users a standard safe passing distance of 3 ft. (or 6 ft. for Commercial Vehicles) that only applies when road conditions allow. It also prohibits the “right hook” (turning dangerously in front of an unprotected road user) and failing to yield when making a left turn at an intersection. Comments: No fiscal note. Twenty-five Texas cities and twenty-five other states have enacted safe passing laws. Imposes penalties for violations under this bill.

Establishment of the Vision Zero Legislative Task Force by the Legislature - House Bill (HB) 1677

This legislation would direct TxDOT to establish The Task Force on Vision Zero: Achieving Zero Traffic Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities, to report findings to the 2019 legislature, based on the Task Force review of a) current state of roadway fatalities and serious injuries and b) identification of effective measures to reduce the number of roadway fatalities to zero by no later than 2050. Comments: no fiscal note. Vision Zero is a national and international effort to reduce fatalities to zero. BikeTexas is proud to be a member of a coalition of Texas-based health concerns

supporting this bill.

Lowering the Prima Facie Speed Limit in an Urban District – House Bill (HB) 1368

This legislation would amend the Transportation Code to change the lawful speed from 30 miles an hour to 25 miles an hour in an urban district on a street other than an alley unless a special

hazard exists. Comments: no fiscal note. Uses speed reduction as a tool for reduction of fatalities and serious injuries.

Alex Brown Memorial Act – Distracted Driver - House Bill (HB) 62

This legislation relates to the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, creating a criminal offense and modifying existing criminal penalties.